Monday, August 11, 2008
Russia vs. Georgia
When the Soviet Union seized control over Georgia, it began moving Russians into Georgia -- as it did with every other country it took over to make a part of the USSR. Now South Ossetia, historically part of Georgia, but now full of Russians, due to the actions of the USSR, is trying to break away from Georgia. So Georgia responded militarily. This was an action against rebels within their own country. In response, Russia invaded. Now some might express sympathy with the Russians for wanting to protect Russians, but this was the same logic used by the Nazis to invade Czechoslovakia and Russia -- that they were protecting Germans and trying to bring them into Germany proper. It should concern us that Russia is beginning to act like Germany in the lead-up to WWII. It should concern us equally that Russia would show such contempt for a world tradition of not engaging in hostilities during the Olympics. This Russia may be more dangerous to the world (even if not anywhere near more dangerous to its own people) than the USSR was.
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7 comments:
Czechoslovakia invaded a break away area in its own borders before Germany invaded it? Oh wait, they didn't. Not the same. Georgia is more like the brake up of Yugoslavia. Although, I must say Russia was waiting for a reason to pick a fight. Both sides have claimed ethnic targeting.
Yes, oddly, analogies aren't 100% perfect. Funny, that. Perhaps you were not aware that analogies are not the same as being identical? It is analogous insofar as there were ethnic Germany in Czechoslovakia, and Germany used the pretense that something like what was happening in Georgia would happen in Czechoslovakia. The situation is in fact somewhere between the breakup of Yugoslavia and that of Nazi Germany. But, yes, the logic Russia is using is in fact the same. It's a mere excuse for invasion of another country.
Your blog gets me so fired up sometimes, I really need to start my own.
Great. Then I've been doing my job. :-)
Hum, a nation that is very nationalistic with a charismatic leader that found a way to stay in power in a democracy, while invading a nation in order to protect its 'people.' And having the top western leaders roll over and do nothing about it. Sounds pretty pre-WWII to me.
Interesting thoughts Troy.
Except the last bit. I might be overly cynical, but I just dont think the Olympics are the haloed event it once was.
The Olympics have been tarnished off and on for various reasons, but still, it's a nice ideal. And, being an ideal, people should be upset when we don't rise to it. Especially since it's one of those rare ideals that isn't going to hurt anyone if we do try to reach it.
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